Orange Wave Band Boosters
May 2024
Have you joined the Orange Wave Band Boosters?
It's NEVER too late!
The boosters regularly host events for moms, dads, parents, & families. Click below for the membership form. You won't want to miss out!
Want to be a part of the action & volunteer next year? There's always room for more & pleny of things to do to support our great kids! Reach out to Keri Cunningham if you're interested!
Band Banquet
Join us as we celebrate & send off our Seniors in an evening to remember at The Venue at Boyd Farm on Friday, May 17 for the Band Banquet. Everyone is welcome! Tickets are on sale NOW, and may be purchased through May 10. Get yours today!
- Current RHS band students: $55
- Adults & students outside of the band: $65
- Ages 13 & under: $50 with a discount code (Reach out to Keri Cunningham for the code)
Snuffers Spirit Night
Join us for dinner Thursday, May 2 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. It'll be a great place to meet up with other band families, enjoy some great food, & raise money for the OWBB! The OWBB will receive 15% of purchases.
2024 Marching Show Reveal
Come to the band hall this Friday, May 3 at 6:30 pm for next year's show reveal! A few hints have been given, but everyone is stumped as to what it could be! Talk about ANTICIPATION!!!
Here's what we know so far...
- It's music some students may have played before
- The music might be recognizable to the public
You won't want to miss the Show Reveal as we kick off next year's marching season!
Band Registration-May 18
Students need to be dressed appropriately on band registration day to try on uniform items.
- Wear socks for trying on new band shoes
- Wear a T-shirt to try on uniform tops
- We will have compression pants to try on & shorts & scrubs, so it is recommended to wear compression shorts or pants of your own (underneath athletic shorts or pants!) that you can slip these things on over 🙂
Parents also need to be prepared to update charms accounts using your logins & passwords to access accounts.
What's Up with Downs
As we prepare for next year it is both one of the most exciting times of the year for the directors & one of our least favorite times. Why, you may ask? Audition results. As we prepare to post band results, leadership team results, etc., it puts us in the situation that no matter what we do, students that we care about & that care tremendously about our band program will be disappointed. This is especially true this year with over 60 students trying out for leadership positions, which is an incredible indicator of our success as a program & the culture we are continuing to build here! As we approach this part of year, I’d ask that you keep a few things in mind. First of all, we make all decisions as a team of directors; there are no unilateral decisions. Additionally, all decisions we make are truly intended for the benefit of the entire group. While a decision or decisions may disappoint your individual student, as a director team, we really do think the decisions we make are for the benefit of the entire band program. None of these decisions, no matter how seemingly insignificant, are taken lightly by us. Here’s a bulleted list of some things students can do as we go through this process that can help everyone:
- Self-assess honestly (Was my audition truly my best work?)
- Know that if you did not get what you want, it is ok to be disappointed
- Ask yourself how you can still lead, even if you did not get a position you wanted
- Accept any successes with humility & without any form of boasting
- Check in on your teammates that may be disappointed. Acknowledge their efforts & how valuable they are to the team
- Don’t act as if you pity them; just be a great listener & a great friend
- Realize that it is detrimental to the entire organization to tear down those who may have received a position you wanted
Thanks in advance for keeping these things in mind & trusting the leadership & decisions of our director team. We are looking forward to a great end to this year & a fantastic start to the 24-25 school year & band season!
Meadows' Memos
Remember that physicals are only good for ONE CALENDAR YEAR from the date of exam & must be current for students to participate in ANY marching activities. Email Ms. Meadows or have students ask if there are any questions. UIL has released a new PPE form for the 24-25 School year. When updating physicals & paperwork for the upcoming year, please turn in the new form. It now says 2024 in the upper right corner & is attached! (See below for the link.) It's almost identical, but provides an opt out option for a few specific questions. Thank you!
Please make sure your students have everything they need for Concert Attire & stay smelling fresh & clean by taking those things to the dry-cleaner when necessary!
New Marching Uniforms are in & are being sorted - yay! Check out the Band Registration information above so your student is prepared.
GO BAND!!Clark's Remarks
Congratulations to both Jazz I & Jazz II for receiving a 1st Division Rating at the Wylie East Jazz Festival!
2025 All-State Jazz audition music comes out May 15th!
Spring Jazz Concert Tuesday May 7th in the RHS Theater @ 7pm!
Upcoming Events- Check out the Band App for more details!
Be sure to read all emails from Mr. Downs' for event details & other information!
- May 2- Spirit Night: Snuffer's
- May 3- RHS Band Recording Concert-Wind Ensemble only (Check Mr. Downs' email)
- May 3- 2024 Marching Show Reveal
- May 7- Jazz Concert
- May 11- RHS Solo Contest
- May 16- RHS Band Spring Concert
- May 17- Band Banquet
- May 18- Band Registration
- May 23- Student Leadership Training, 1:00-5:00 pm
- May 27- UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest
- May 28- Texas Ranger's Game with the Band
OWBB
Email: owbbpresident@owbb.org
Website: https://www.orangewaveband.com/
Phone: 318-210-1722
Facebook: facebook.com/RockwallBand
Twitter: @rockwallband